Chapter 75

A red-hot charcoal brazier was placed at the door, surrounded by soldiers on both sides. Yang Long held a bottle of strong liquor in his hand and poured it into the brazier with a splash. Flames shot up more than a foot high, casting a red glow on everyone's face.

"Please step over the brazier, sir... I mean, the new official, for a bright and smooth future!" Yang Long shouted.

Zhang Feng's face turned red with excitement as he laughed and scolded, "I'm not a new bride, why make it like a wedding!"

Yang Long laughed, "Big Brother, hurry up and step over. From now on, all the bad luck will be gone!"

Zhang Feng's eyes welled up with tears as he stepped over the brazier. Several brothers quickly helped him change into a brand new cotton coat, throwing his old clothes into the brazier.

Everyone laughed, cursed, and jumped around, as happy as children!

In a situation where death was almost certain, they had found a way out, and Zhang Feng felt like it was all a dream!

He suddenly looked up and saw his younger brother standing under the eaves, the creator of the miracle! Zhang Feng quickly walked over and hugged Zhang Ke, unable to hold back his tears.

"Little Brother, you've grown up and become capable. Big Brother owes his life to you!"

Zhang Ke's eyes reddened, and he recalled the intense confrontation in the hall yesterday. With solid evidence, Xiong Tingbi had no choice but to hastily conclude the case today, declaring Zhang Feng innocent and releasing him on the spot.

Finally, he had pulled Big Brother back from the brink of death, but Zhang Ke didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he smiled and said, "Big Brother, the new clothes look great!"

Zhang Feng was taken aback but then laughed, "Of course, we can't let the Zhang family lose face when Zhang Gonggong invites us to drink!"

The two brothers held hands tightly and walked briskly, with every servant and soldier along the way looking jubilant and casting curious glances at Zhang Ke.

Zhang Ke's face was full of warm smiles as they reached the hall. A sumptuous feast was laid out, and two people were already seated. The main seat was occupied by the mine supervisor, Zhang Ye, and on the side was the general, He Shixian. This house was also provided by He Shixian, temporarily lent to Zhang Ke.

As the two brothers reached the door, they all knelt down in unison.

Although Zhang Ke disliked kneeling, he was willing to kowtow to He Shixian and Zhang Ye, for without them, Big Brother would have been dead long ago. Zhang Feng was even more emotional, kowtowing vigorously until his forehead was bruised and purple.

"Get up, we don't have so many rules. Sit down and talk," Zhang Ye said.

He Shixian quickly stood up and helped the two brothers to their feet.

Zhang Ye looked at the two brothers with a smile, glancing at Zhang Feng and then at Zhang Ke.

"Ha ha ha, Yongzhen, I want to test you!"

Zhang Ke hurriedly bowed and said, "Please give me the question, Gonggong!"

"I've heard you are a talented student of Hong Fu, both in literature and martial arts. I don't need to ask about that. Let's talk about the present. Do you think your Big Brother is really safe now?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Feng and He Shixian both stared with wide eyes! Hadn't the injustice been cleared? What could be unsafe? They looked at each other, completely puzzled.

On the contrary, Zhang Ke sighed upon hearing this.

He spread his hands and said with a helpless smile, "Gonggong, can't you let me have a peaceful drink before talking about it?"

Zhang Ye nodded slightly, "Yongzhen is indeed sharp. But I can't wait, speak quickly!"

"Um, Gonggong, I once met a foreign missionary who said that a butterfly flapping its wings in the South China Sea could cause a storm in the north half a month later!"

Upon hearing Zhang Ke's words, He Shixian shook his head disapprovingly, "A tiny butterfly, how can that be true?"

Zhang Ye, however, fell into deep thought and then smiled, "The wind starts from the tip of the green grass, and the waves form from the ripples! I didn't expect the barbarians to understand this principle! Indeed, the storm in Liaodong started with this case! I don't know how many heads will roll, how many families will be destroyed, and I've been dragged into it. I fear there will be no peace for me."

As he spoke, Zhang Ye's face was filled with worry. Zhang Ke nodded in agreement, the great earthquake in Liaodong had just begun, but it wasn't he who had dragged Zhang Ye into it, but rather Zhang Ye had no choice but to get involved!

Zhang Ye looked around, and He Shixian understood. He quickly pulled Zhang Feng out and patrolled the area, driving away all the bystanders.

"Yongzhen, Qingquan is my adopted son. Do you know why he and Zhuo Shi came to Liaodong?"

"I don't know, Gonggong didn't say!"

Zhang Ye glared at him and said bluntly, "Qingquan isn't a fool, he wouldn't tell you outright. I want you to guess!"

In fact, Zhang Ke had already figured it out but pretended to think deeply. After a while, he said, "I think Gonggong is investigating why we lost to the old slave."

"That's obvious, be more specific."

"Yes!" Zhang Ke lowered his voice, "Gonggong, to be frank, Liaodong is rotten to the core. From top to bottom, everywhere is infested with the old slave's people. It's through countless informants that the old slave has become so well-informed, knowing both his own and the enemy's strengths. Coupled with the ferocity of the Jurchens, they have won battle after battle. If we don't clean up the cancer in Liaodong, we will surely suffer more defeats in the future."

Zhang Ye finally nodded, "You're right. Emperor Wanli has ruled for 47 years, surpassing all previous emperors of the Ming dynasty. His military campaigns have all been victorious, and his governance has been praised as a renaissance. However, Liaodong has suffered consecutive defeats, and if we don't find out the reasons, how can we face the emperor's grace?"

Zhang Ke listened silently. He didn't think Emperor Wanli was a renaissance emperor, but he agreed that failure must be analyzed to understand the reasons. It seemed that Emperor Wanli had already tasked Hong Qingquan and Zhang Ye with the investigation, which showed that he was more experienced than the later emperors Tianqi and Chongzhen.

"Although I have been in Liaodong for ten years, the case of Zhang Feng still shocks me. A corrupt merchant smuggled iron and gunpowder to the Jurchens. On our side, from the governor and the vice-inspector to the generals and even the inner court, they all colluded, even going so far as to fabricate false charges and frame loyal officials. This is terrifying, is Liaodong still part of the Ming Empire?"

Zhang Ye slammed his fist on the table, making the cups and plates rattle. Not only was he angry, but Zhang Ke was also burning with rage.

"Gonggong, I think from the time the old slave rose to power, over ten years, it was also the time when the Li family was at its peak. Now, the officials, generals, and merchants in Liaodong are all tied to the Li family, and some may have been caught by the old slave. Whether they want to or not, they have to inform the old slave, and some have even surrendered to him, becoming traitors!"

Zhang Ye nodded, "Well said, well said! This case is a turning point. Your teacher has already started interrogating Zhu Jinhai. Once we break him, the officials in Liaodong will be exposed. I have also sent people to interrogate Xiao Wu. What do you think of my plan?"

Zhang Ke's eyes darted around, and he sighed, "Gonggong, do you want me to tell the truth or a lie?"

"Of course, the truth!"

"I don't think it's good!"

Zhang Ye suddenly glared at Zhang Ke, "Do you underestimate my abilities?"

"Of course not, but... but..." Zhang Ke couldn't find the right words, as he didn't really have confidence in Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye sighed, "Let me be honest, Guo Yuntu committed suicide!"

"What?" Zhang Ke's eyes widened. Guo Yuntu was the key witness against Xiao Wu. If he was dead, it would be hard to pin the blame on He Bian!

"Gonggong, is there any worse news?"

"Ha ha ha, you, you're as clever as a monkey. Zhu Jinhai has gone mad!"

"Ah?"

Zhang Ke was stunned. This news was devastating! Zhu Jinhai was the most important suspect in the case. Through him, they could implicate Zhou Yongchun and Ge Chunfang, and even arrest Jin Wanguan, who had close ties with the Zhu family.

Despite the involvement of many high-ranking officials, Zhang Ke had always focused on the merchants as the breakthrough point.

In essence, the bond of any interest group is money. The old slave had plenty of ginseng and furs, which he needed to convert into food, iron, and silver through merchants. The Liaodong military families, led by the Li family, also profited from the trade in cloth and food.

The merchants were the link between the Jurchens and the Liaodong military families! Jin Wanguan and the Zhu family were merchants who had risen to prominence in recent years, and through them, countless secrets could be uncovered! Unveiling the dark curtain of Liaodong and unraveling the mystery of the old slave's success!

However, no matter how beautiful the vision, it couldn't withstand the harsh reality. Zhu Jinhai, a key figure, had gone mad after just one day in prison, which was outrageous!

"Gonggong, is Zhu Jinhai really mad?"

"Yes, Zhu Jinhai is indeed mad. He started shouting and eating the straw on the ground and even the mud on the walls, and he can't control his bowel movements. The people from the Eastern Depot examined him and said he might have been given a madness-inducing drug. I didn't expect even my subordinates to be bought off; they are truly all-seeing and all-hearing!"

Zhang Ye smiled bitterly, "With Zhu Jinhai out of the picture, we can't rely on Xiao Wu alone to bring down He Bian. Yongzhen, Qingquan has praised you for your quick thinking and sharp mind. You found Zhu Jinhai in just two days and cleared your Big Brother's name. Do you have any ideas to deal with the current situation and find their evidence?"

Zhang Ye placed all his hopes on Zhang Ke, but Zhang Ke's mind was a mess, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Suddenly, Zhang Ke stood up and said anxiously, "Gonggong, with Zhu Jinhai mad, we've lost our best card. We need to think about how to defend ourselves. After all, the counterattack from these villains cannot be underestimated!"

Just as Zhang Ke finished speaking, He Shixian rushed over, his dark face looking particularly grim.

"Gonggong, the Censor-in-Chief has just issued an order. The Hu Pi Post, Pu River Post, and Weining Camp have been attacked. He is worried about the safety of the mine and has ordered me to lead the troops to defend it!"

It's here!

Zhang Ye hadn't expected the counterattack to come so quickly, "Sigh, a feint to draw the tiger away from the mountain, they are ruthless!"

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